L.A. schools will no longer suspend a student for being defiant

Los Angeles Unified has become the first school district in the state to ban defiance as grounds for suspension.

In a 5-2 vote that was met with cheers, the school board banned suspensions for defiant students, directing officials to use alternative disciplinary practices instead.

The action comes amid mounting national concern that removing students from school is imperiling their academic achievement and disproportionately harming minority students, particularly African Americans.